Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms had been single for a decade and believed having a child might not be an option for her. Although she had considered solo parenthood, the financial burden seemed too overwhelming to pursue it.

Her perspective shifted when she met Tom Hayes. Tom worked at the Hive, an arts center in Shrewsbury, where she served as a trustee. Their friendship quickly developed as they connected over a shared experience—many of their friends in Shrewsbury had children, which made socializing more difficult. They found themselves excluded from gatherings and missed the spontaneity of meeting up for a drink. This shared feeling of isolation became the foundation of their bond.